GIPA - Freedom of Information

INTRODUCTION

The GIPA Publication Guide is a mandatory document under the Act and best describes the structure of Council, its functions and the information Council maintains and how the public may access information.

COUNCIL

Liverpool Plains Shire was proclaimed on the 17th March 2004. The Shire is an undivided area with seven (7) Councillors and the Mayor is elected each September by the Councillors.

Role of an Elected Member:

Councillors as members of the governing body of the Council are:

To direct and control the affairs of Council in accordance with the Local Government Act and other applicable legislation

To participate in the optimum allocation of Council’s resources for the benefit of the area

To play a key role in the creation and review of Council’s policies, objectives and criteria relating to the exercise of the Council’s regulatory functions

To review the performance of the Council and its delivery of services, management plans and revenue policies of the Council

To provide a civic leadership role in guiding the development of the community strategic plan for the area and to be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Council’s delivery program.

The role of the Councillor is, as an elected person:

To represent the interests of the residents and ratepayers

To provide leadership and guidance to the community

To facilitate communication between the community and the Council

The role of the Mayor is:

To exercise, in cases of necessity, the policy-making functions of the governing body of the Council between meetings of the Council;

To exercise such other functions of the Council as the Council determines;

To preside at meetings of the Council; and

To carry out the civic and ceremonial functions of the mayoral office.

ORGANISATION STRUCTURE

The Principal Officer of the Council is the General Manager. The General Manager is generally responsible for the efficient and effective operation of the Council’s organisation and for ensuring the implementation, without undue delay, of decisions of the Council.

The General Manager is also responsible for:

Assisting the Council in connecting with the development and implementation of the community strategic plan and the Council’s resourcing strategy, delivery program and operational plan and the preparation of its annual report and state of the environment report;

The day-to-day management of the Council;

The exercise of any functions that are delegated by the Council;

The appointment of staff in accordance with an organisation structure and resources approved by the Council;

The direction and dismissal of staff; and

The implementation of Council’s Equal Employment Opportunity Management Plan For full details about the Publication Guide.